November 6, 2011

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, MP
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Government of Canada

Dear Minister:

I am writing to you with respect to the Canadian Air & Space Museum, 65 Carl Hall Road in North York, Ontario, M3K 2E1, which has recently received a notice of termination by Downsview Park. This museum offers four profoundly important elements in the life of Canadians.

“I urge you to take action to preserve this wonderful heritage for all of us; it is a heritage of which all Canadians can be proud.”

1. Within the aircraft hanger in which the museum has been located, De Havilland built 1134 Mosquito aircraft as a major contribution to Canada’s World War II effort. When the Mosquito entered production in 1941, it was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world and it supported RAF fighter defence forces in Great Britain. It also built more than 1000 Tiger Moths, used for training Canadian airmen.
    
2. In the same hanger De Havilland built 1700 Beaver and 800 Twin Otter aircraft which opened up the Canadian North. The Otter had many other notable achievements including the winter darkness rescue a few years ago of an American doctor from the South Pole, something no other aircraft dared to attempt.
    
3. Within this hanger the foundations were laid for Canada in Space, with the building of the structures and antennas for the Alouette and ISIS Canadian satellites, making Canada the third nation in space, and
    
4. It was here that SPAR (Special Products and Applied Research) Aerospace laid the foundation for the forefront position that Canada presently occupies in space, most notably with the Canadarm which became the "arm" of the Space Shuttle and Canadarm-2 which is now flying on the International Space Station. This expertise was inherited by McDonald Detwiler and Associates.
    

The hanger in question is a true heritage site, and held that designation until recently. Along with this piece of history the Canadian Air and Space Museum acquired original and replica aircraft including a replica of the Silver Dart, the first aircraft to take flight in Canada.

This building and the museum it houses is a treasure that was occupied by innovative Canadians and should be preserved for its immense historical value for future Canadians. I urge you to take action to preserve this wonderful heritage for all of us; it is a heritage of which all Canadians can be proud.

Sincerely

Gordon G. Shepherd
Distinguished Research Professor, York University
Author: “Canada’s Fifty Years in Space”

Click here to see the original letter [pdf]

About Dr. Gordon Shepherd

Shepherd has worked for the Canadian space community for the past 40 years and has played key roles in the atmospheric sciences, championing the ISIS program, WINDII: the Wind Imaging Interferometer (left), and SWIFT: the Stratospheric Wind Interferometer For Transport (above, right).

He is a mentor, a renowned international speaker and has published over 200 scientific papers. As well, Shepherd has pioneered developments of new techniques for instruments and data analysis, contributing to maintain Canada's pre-eminence in thermospheric physics and positioning the Canadian Space Program abroad.